Stars

They existed in the high heavens in the Circles of the World, possibly in Ilmen just above Arda between Vista and Ekkaia. At first they were seen clearly in areas where there was less light from either the Two Lamps or the Two Trees, and much later only when the Sun set and night fell with a clear sky.[1]

The first stars were created sometime between the Valar's arrival in Arda and the Awakening of the Elves possibly out of the misty light close along the ground, which were also used in the creation of the Two Lamps. After their destruction, they were the only source of light in Middle-earth as the light of the Two Trees were far in the west and very faintly seen if seen at all. These stars had no formal names but were numerous.[2]

After the Valar were well established in Valinor, they held council concerning the coming of the Children of Ilúvatar, after which Varda wanted to create new and brighter stars in anticipation of their awakening. Using light from the silver tree Telperion she began a long labor. Intending for some to be not only beacons of light and hope but as signs of what’s to come, they were arranged into constellations that warned and foretold of the coming ages and their dooms. After she completed her labors, the Elves awoke by the waters of Cuiviénen and one of the first things they saw was these stars. They gazed upon them and forever loved their light.[2]